FOUR WINDS SADDLE TACK STORE

For Information Call 1-800-498-0767 or use email link fourwinds@fourwinds.net

How to Fit a English Saddle How to Fit a Western Saddle Main Tack Store Catalog

To take a withers tracing, place your hand on the back of the horse, then move your hand to the base of the withers (the place where the wither starts to rise from the back). Move your hand towards the head 2.5";. Take a piece of wire and bend it to conform to the withers and back. Copy the shape to a piece of paper and fax to us at 1 970 498 8421. We will determine the best tree size for a proper fit on the horse. For the rider fit we would like height, thigh length and general weight. Also the style of riding ( western, quarter horse, Morgan, Arab, Hunter/Jumper etc), also include on the tracing a 4" measure line for a size check.


	The FLEXIBLE CURVE can be purchased from most major office supply stores. The 24 inch is a good length for placing over your horse's withers and is pliable enough to hold the shape of your horse. Or use a Flexable Wire After forming your horse's shape, you can then lay the FLEXIBLE CURVE or WIRE on a piece of paper ( An 8" by 11" Printer paper is big enough) and trace the shape of the curve.. Send the tracing to Four Winds along with your other measurement information. also include on the tracing a 4" measure line for a size check.	WRONG RIGHT

The FLEXIBLE CURVE can be purchased from most major office supply stores. The 24 inch is a good length for placing over your horse's withers and is pliable enough to hold the shape of your horse. Or use a Flexable Wire

After forming your horse's shape, you can then lay the FLEXIBLE CURVE or WIRE on a piece of paper ( An 8" by 11" Printer paper is big enough) and trace the shape of the curve.. Send the tracing to Four Winds along with your other measurement information. also include on the tracing a 4" measure line for a size check.

WRONG

RIGHT


Stand your horse on a flat surface, and in a balanced position.	Stand on a stool behind your horse and notice the spine and how it is aligned from loin area up to the withers.
FLEXIBLE CURVE or WIRE placed perfectly on the horse. Usually 2.5" from base of withers	You must apply enough pressure so that the FLEXIBLE CURVE or WIRE fits close to the horse.
Notice the CORRECT placement of the FLEXIBLE CURVE or WIRE.	INCORRECT PLACEMENT is when you are to far forward on the withers.
When standing behind your horse, after you have placed the saddle on his bare back, notice the width of the gullet, and that you can see right straight through to the front (withers area).	This view is from the front of the horse looking back. This shows you how much room you really need so that your saddle will not press down on the withers area when you have cinched up.
	Here is the finished product sittling absolutely level on the horse.

Please note that the saddle is not ON THE WITHERS, ... yet is set back just behind the shoulder muscle. This is so that when the horse walks forward, and the scapula comes back, ... your saddle will not be on top of the scapula and impeding the forward movement of your horse. Having the saddle too far forward can cause numerous problems, like "rope walking", or a shortness in strides. Another way to check on English saddles - lunge the horse with stirrups down. They should not swing back and forth with a correct fit.